May 18th, 2011 · Comments Off on Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City to hold Change of Command ceremony

HOUSTON – Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City will host a Change of Command ceremony May 20, 2011, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will take place on the sailing vessel Elissa, located at Suite 8, Pier 21, Galveston, Texas 77550.

During the Change of Command ceremony Cmdr. James B. Robertson will assume the responsibility of commanding officer from Cmdr. James E. Elliott, who has been the commanding officer since May 2008.

In the past three years, MSU Texas City has earned two unit commendations and several Federal Executive Board Awards. They also successfully managed over 5,000 vessel inspections, 1,500 offshore high interest vessel boardings, 800 pollution response operations, 750 marine casualty investigations, and the safe transfer of over 2.8 million pounds of explosives.

“When I assumed command, I had two overriding goals. First, that everyone would look out for each other and ensure each other’s safety. We work in often hazardous conditions and my number one goal was to ensure the safety of my crew. Second, I demanded forward-leaning mission execution that included a rapid response, decisive decision making, and achieving all operational objectives. As I prepare to be relieved of command, I feel very blessed that together we have accomplished these goals,” Elliott said.

Robertson recently completed a highly successful tour in Umm Qasr and Basra, Iraq, as the Officer in-Charge of the Port Advisory Coordinating Element operating under the Joint Interagency Task Force.